Employees

I’ve been sick and have recovered but my boss won’t let me return to work

You can complete a Statutory Declaration stating you are ready to return to work.

My workplace is re-opening. Do I need to be tested for COVID-19 or get medical clearance to return to work?

If you are well and have not had COVID-19

No. If you are well and have not had COVID-19, there is no need to be tested or get medically cleared for COVID-19 before return to work unless this is directed by Public Health Services.

If you are unwell or have symptoms of COVID-19

Yes. If you have a fever (or signs of fever eg night sweats, chills) or cough, sore throat, runny nose or shortness of breath, even if its mild, it is important to get tested.

Stay away from work and other public places and get tested as soon as possible by phoning your GP or the Public Health Hotline (1800 671 738). Other than to get tested or for urgent medical care, stay at home until you get your test results. Even if the test result is negative, stay at home until you are well.

Get tested every time you get sick with any of these symptoms, even if you’ve had a negative test result before.

For staff who have tested positive for COVID-19

You do not need to be tested unless directed to by Public Health Services.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you must stay at home (or your place of isolation) until you receive a letter from Public Health Services stating you can leave isolation and return to normal duties, including work. You can only leave home (or your place of isolation) to access urgent, arranged medical care.

Does the quarantine period apply to travel by Fly in Fly out (FIFO) workers?

If you are a Tasmanian resident returning to Tasmania for a period of leave from work interstate, you may quarantine at your residence.

If you are required to leave Tasmania to return to work before the end of your 14 day quarantine period, you may do so, but must:

If you are travelling to Tasmania for work, you may be exempt from completing a period of quarantine as a Specified Person (Essential Traveller).

Does the quarantine period apply to commercial fishers and recreational boaters?

Commercial fishers and recreational boaters do not need to quarantine if they have not set foot interstate or overseas, and have not taken on crew from interstate and overseas in the past 14 days. See Coming to Tasmania for more information.

Does the quarantine period apply to maritime crew?

The State Controller offers the following class exemptions to eligible maritime crew from being required to quarantine in a government facility for a period of 14 days:

Class I: Maritime crew ‘signing-off’ a commercial or government vessel in Tasmania.

Class II: Maritime crew arriving in Tasmania to join a commercial or government vessel.

Class III: Maritime crew who are Tasmanian residents returning after disembarking at an interstate port.

These class exemptions are available to maritime crew of commercial and government vessels who are not eligible for the Category 3 exemption of the Schedule of Specified Persons. These exemptions do not apply to crew of cruise ships.

Advice for fruit pickers, working backpackers and transient workers

Fruit pickers and working backpackers may stay at commercial accommodation for the purposes of employment for the duration of their working arrangement, and may travel for the purposes of moving to and from work and other essential matters (such as purchasing food essential supplies, attending medical appointments). See Accommodation and leaving Tasmania for more information.

Rights at work

Where can I get information about my rights at work, eg being made to use annual/personal leave, being stood down, or being ordered to work from home?

Long service leave

Who can I talk to about accessing my long service leave, or being made to take it?

Private sector workers: if you are covered by the Long Service Leave Act 1976 (you can check this with Fair Work; see details above) then the WorkSafe Tasmania Helpline can provide advice. Complete WorkSafe Tasmania’s general enquiry form. Make sure you provide a contact number as the Helpline may need to contact you to discuss. Or call the Helpline on 1300 366 322.